If I was writing a few notes about what I would say to kids who were about to read the book Dear Mr. Henshaw, I would begin by telling them that they will enjoy the story and will be able to relate to it in a way that can connect their everyday life to this novel. Using the Reader-Response fits right in with what students will need to really put themselves in the story with Leigh Botts. Leigh uses his journal entries to reveal his story through the ups and downs of a strained family plagued with divorce and feelings that are so strong he has no other way to express them but by using his journal as the way to share his journey.
Everyone approaches a book in different ways. Some are apprehensive before starting a new book because they may not feel as though they can get into the story or be able to understand the dialogue. This is certainly true with children who are ready to begin a book they have never seen or heard of. Educators and parents need to always think of creative ways to get kids excited about reading in general and also to keep them reading. Children could be introduced to this book by just simply looking at the front cover and noticing the character writing something. They may think that the writing looks to be important, but they aren't sure. Some may notice another aspect of it, like the character is writing a letter to someone important. Everyone will have a different idea about what the story is about. That is the exciting part, seeing a reader become interested in something that they know nothing about.
After reading Chapter 4 in The Pleasures of Children's Literature by Nodelman and Reimer, I began to think about a section that was discussing how everyone can read the same text but will perceive the words in a different way (53). I immediately thought about the book, Dear Mr. Henshaw, the Reader-Response, and how children will have different ideas about the story. Scenarios in their lives my be very similar to Leigh Botts, but may also not be exactly they same. Some may just be able to relate to the feelings that Leigh is sharing to the reader through his entries. Any story that a child can read that imitates the sad, hopeless or lonely type of feelings that kids can have will certainly draw an impact on a young reader. This book can become a method of healing for children depending on what they are dealing with in their lives. Leigh's outlet was to journal his feelings and use writing to make himself feel better or identify his feelings or problems, and that was extremely powerful for the reader as a child or adult.
Dear Mr. Henshaw definitely gives the reader a chance to feel the pain and confusion Leigh is feeling by reading his journal entries. It is an excellent way for students to understand his emotional state at each and every turn in the story and I feel that dating the entries gives the illusion that they are reading an actual journal and are no longer reading a book that is fiction. Many other activities can be accomplished with students by reading a selection like Dear Mr. Henshaw. This type of book is always something that can be used to help a child understand feelings that they can't discuss openly. They may need to follow the same type of therapy by writing their feelings and sharing them with others that way. This book was excellent and really made the reader understand how Leigh felt after each incident happened in the story. It was a quick read and the author made it exciting to keep turning the page. I feel that children would be drawn to this book because of the ease in reading it and how they can definitely parallel their lives to Leigh Botts.
Kayla Ramer
LENS- Reader Response
February 12, 2013
If I was writing a few notes about what I would say to kids who were about to read the book Dear Mr. Henshaw, I would begin by telling them that they will enjoy the story and will be able to relate to it in a way that can connect their everyday life to this novel. Using the Reader-Response fits right in with what students will need to really put themselves in the story with Leigh Botts. Leigh uses his journal entries to reveal his story through the ups and downs of a strained family plagued with divorce and feelings that are so strong he has no other way to express them but by using his journal as the way to share his journey.
Everyone approaches a book in different ways. Some are apprehensive before starting a new book because they may not feel as though they can get into the story or be able to understand the dialogue. This is certainly true with children who are ready to begin a book they have never seen or heard of. Educators and parents need to always think of creative ways to get kids excited about reading in general and also to keep them reading. Children could be introduced to this book by just simply looking at the front cover and noticing the character writing something. They may think that the writing looks to be important, but they aren't sure. Some may notice another aspect of it, like the character is writing a letter to someone important. Everyone will have a different idea about what the story is about. That is the exciting part, seeing a reader become interested in something that they know nothing about.
After reading Chapter 4 in The Pleasures of Children's Literature by Nodelman and Reimer, I began to think about a section that was discussing how everyone can read the same text but will perceive the words in a different way (53). I immediately thought about the book, Dear Mr. Henshaw, the Reader-Response, and how children will have different ideas about the story. Scenarios in their lives my be very similar to Leigh Botts, but may also not be exactly they same. Some may just be able to relate to the feelings that Leigh is sharing to the reader through his entries. Any story that a child can read that imitates the sad, hopeless or lonely type of feelings that kids can have will certainly draw an impact on a young reader. This book can become a method of healing for children depending on what they are dealing with in their lives. Leigh's outlet was to journal his feelings and use writing to make himself feel better or identify his feelings or problems, and that was extremely powerful for the reader as a child or adult.
Dear Mr. Henshaw definitely gives the reader a chance to feel the pain and confusion Leigh is feeling by reading his journal entries. It is an excellent way for students to understand his emotional state at each and every turn in the story and I feel that dating the entries gives the illusion that they are reading an actual journal and are no longer reading a book that is fiction. Many other activities can be accomplished with students by reading a selection like Dear Mr. Henshaw. This type of book is always something that can be used to help a child understand feelings that they can't discuss openly. They may need to follow the same type of therapy by writing their feelings and sharing them with others that way. This book was excellent and really made the reader understand how Leigh felt after each incident happened in the story. It was a quick read and the author made it exciting to keep turning the page. I feel that children would be drawn to this book because of the ease in reading it and how they can definitely parallel their lives to Leigh Botts.